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Annual Athletics Banquet Honours Thunderbirds

Supplied by Algoma University…
Karissa Kajorinne and Aksel Pollari Named Student-Athletes of the Year

(SAULT STE. MARIE, ON – March 18, 2017): Tonight, Algoma University and the Algoma University Thunderbirds Varsity Athletics Program recognized the hard work, dedication, skill, and academic achievements of their student-athletes at their annual varsity Athletics Banquet.

For the second year in a row, Thunder Bay native women’s basketball player Karissa Kajorinne earned the title of Female Student-Athlete of the Year. Captain of her squad, Kajorinne is the points leader, finishing out the season with 542 points. She averaged 94.1 per cent from the charity stripe, and 35 per cent from both the field and beyond the arc. She is a proven leader and active in supporting youth basketball within the community, coaching in the 705 Basketball League and with the Algoma Thunderbirds summer camps.

Echo Bay rookie Askel Pollari earned the title of Male Student-Athlete of the Year. A duo-sport athlete, Pollari competes in both cross-country running and in wrestling. Pollari earned fourth place in the OUA Championships this season, an incredible feat for a first-year athlete. Outside of sport, Pollari tutors other student-athletes, and demonstrates great respect for his teammates, coaches, faculty, and community.

The Algoma University Students’ Union (AUSU) was inducted into the Thunderbird Wall of Fame in the builder category. In 2015, AUSU made a onetime donation of $50,000 to help support the men’s and women’s soccer program. Their financial support helped cover the cost of travel as well as the lease agreement with Superior Heights. Their donation has also helped the program recruit high-calibre student-athletes from across the province, the nation, and around the globe.